Here are the 4 Shows You Need to See: This Weekend in LA (6/29-7/1) and your last chance for three major shows ending this weekend:
The Magic of Adam Trent – Pantages Theatre/Segerstrom Center
June 29-July 1
Many people were introduced to magician Adam Trent when he was part of The Illusionists. Now he’s out on his own with his own show and the illusions are, in the words of the New York Times: “seeing is dis-believing.” He’ll be performing his show on Friday and Saturday at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. On Sunday afternoon he has a show at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa.
Muse/Ique “Limitless Lenny” – The Huntington Library
Yes it is another celebration of the centennial of composer/conductor/educator Leonard Bernstein. But this one has a more unique approach. Joining music ensemble Muse/Ique for this concert are such wildly eclectic artists as the Kitty McNamee Dancers teaming up with DJ E.Z. to present a contemporary performance of Bernstein’s score for On the Waterfront (the only film score he composed) accompanied by visuals from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory; violinist Charles Yang (who received the 2018 Leonard Bernstein Award) will perform a suite of songs from West Side Story and anchoring it all will be Muse/Ique themselves. If you’ve never been to one of their concerts know that they take a completely fresh look at music and how it is presented. This won’t be your parent’s version of Bernstein, but it won’t alienate them either. Saturday’s concert launches Muse/Ique’s summer season.
Liza Minnelli & Michael Feinstein – Segerstrom Hall
June 30
It’s been quite some time since Liza Minnelli has taken to the stage. While her evening with Michael Feinstein will not be a full-on Liza concert, it does promise an evening of conversation AND songs. She and Feinstein have been friends for years and the depth of their relationship will no doubt be a large part of the joy of this evening. It also seems as though audience members will get a chance to ask some questions. If you don’t have plans on Saturday night what good is sitting all alone in your room?
Grease Sing-A-Long – Hollywood Bowl
June 30th
It’s the 40th reunion for Danny, Sandy, Rizzo, Kenickie and the gang as they all reunite (at least on celluloid) for this sing-a-long event at the Hollywood Bowl. Yes, it was 40 years ago this summer that we learned that Grease was the word. So this screening/sing-a-long is your chance to show the world that you, too, have groove and meaning (and some vocal chops.) Your mistress of ceremonies for the event will be the beauty school drop-out herself, Didi Conn (Frenchie). Tickets are mostly sold out, so you’ll have to act like greased lightning to get whatever may still be available.
Last Chance: Long Day’s Journey Into Night at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts; Reprise 2.0’s Sweet Charity at the Freud Playhouse; Henry IV at the Japanese Garden at the West LA VA